Happy to see the selectors finally taking interest in the young blood. Kamran Akmal being replaced by Rashid Latif's recommended wicket keeper Mohammad Salman is undoubtedly the most liked decision of the selection committee. Also, glad to see Hammad Azam making a comeback in the squad after being dropped from the t-20 squad without being tested. Most probably, Afridi would use Hammad Azam as Abdul Razzaq's replacement.
However, I am looking forward for Usman Salahuddin and Junaid Khan's game. Hearing about Usman for the first time - his batting statistics at first class level justifies his selection. 1500+ runs in 39 innings with an average of 41.80 is quite impressive. Junaid Khan, on the other hand, would like to make full use of the opportunity given to him by the selectors as the bowling department looks incomplete with the absence of Gul and Shoaib Akhtar.
Selectors have looked for a slow but reliable option in the opening department with the inclusion of Taufeeq Umar. I don't know the exact reason for not having Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam in the side. Azhar Ali is an exciting young prospect for Pakistan whereas Fawad Alam is being ignored continuously despite being a consistent performer with the bat.
Azhar Ali seems quite someone in the mould of Younis Khan who is testification that not everyone can be a good TEST as well as ODI player
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite ODI player is Rahul Dravid; on paper he is not the best ODI batsman but he proved himself by scoring 10,000+ runs in both formats of the game. His strike rate is only 71 but then again for that very reason he was known as The Wall.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Younis Khan is concerned - I really admire him (for ODIs) because he is very strong temperamentally. His (ODI) statistics are quite similar to that of Rahul Dravid besides Younis has a better strike rate.
Pakistan cricket need players with strong temperament and Azhar Ali looks very determined every time he comes to bat. Umar Akmal is one of the best new comer who has the ability to play all sorts of shots but I see his career a shorter one purely because he lacks temperament!